The bridge is currently closed due to painting, the DOTD said in a news release on Thursday.

The department said in the release it planned to reopen the bridge while painting continued following the Labor Day weekend after extending the original closure time frame.

This week, the department said that a site evaluation revealed that a "substantial amount of equipment will be required to be staged on the bridge in order for the contractor to perform painting activities.'

Due to the extra activity on the bridge, the department said it reconsidered the decision to keep the bridge open.

The project is expected to be complete in fall 2013.

Drivers were instructed that they could use St. Claude and Florida avenues as alternate routes.